Addiction in Young Addicts

The spectrum of ages in which a person develops an addiction can be quite wide. Some develop it very early on, and some have even developed an addiction in their old age. While the age gap can be quite wide, there is an age bracket in which addiction tends to “peak” in addicts. This age bracket is generally within the range of the mid 20’s and early 30’s. What tends to happen is that the seeds of addiction are sown at a younger age, such as underage drinking or trying some other type of substance. This first try can then continue to develop and worsen, which leads it to the peak around the age bracket stated above.

Many have the notion that substance abuse is heaviest in minors. While there are a multitude of minors who are struggling with substance abuse, it has not reached the point that is does within the mid 20’s to early 30’s. They generally start out with substances such as marijuana, alcohol, and pills, but then as the addiction progresses they move toward heavier substances like heroin.

Once these individuals move into more addictive substances, it begins to consume their lives more. They begin to put more attention into their drug use, which can lead them to neglect other responsibilities such as their career or caring for children. This can often land them within the criminal justice system, which can sometimes keep them in a never ending loop of use. When an addict is imprisoned due to drug abuse, they often do not receive treatment, which leads them to fall back into use when released. Treatment is what addicted individuals need, not imprisonment.

A large reason this could be developing in the way that it has is the fact that teenage or younger ages using drugs is viewed as simply experimenting. While this may be the case for some, it is often the first period in which addiction begins to cultivate. It often can develop after an injury or surgery as well, being that they will many times be prescribed opiates, to which some become addicted to. These medications used over time begin to alter brain chemistry and create a physiological dependence, which is why individuals experience withdrawal symptoms once ceasing use. More attention should be placed upon curbing this before it leads further.

The Dilemma of Tolerance

A large part of the progression of addiction may lie within the realm of tolerance. If a person in their younger years starts with marijuana, their body begins to build a tolerance. This eventually begins to cause them to use more of the substance to produce the same high or effect that they had previously enjoyed. Once this substance starts to not be enough to satisfy that search for the high, they move to more potent substances. And so develops the graduation through different types of substances that can lead to the use and abuse of highly dangerous drugs like heroin, meth or fentanyl.

Are you Struggling with an Addiction?

Struggling with an addiction can be one of the most difficult conditions for one to be in. It affects all aspects of life. Seeking treatment for an addiction is one of the bravest things a person can do. Sometimes, it can be difficult to know which treatment center to choose, being that there are so many different ones out there. We are here to assist you in finding the right fit. If you or a loved one are seeking help with an addiction, give us a call today.